GREAT BRITAIN TRAVEL GUIDE

Great Britain Hotels, Restaurants, Spas and More

Great Britain, the island that comprises England, Wales and Scotland, is part of the larger United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. This, the largest of the British Isles, also includes the Isle of Wight, the Hebrides and the Orkney and Shetland island groups. Each of its countries offers visitors something unique and different from its neighbors. England gives you London, with its royal accoutrements and sources of fascination that include Stonehenge and that dry British wit. The Welsh will happily build your vocabulary from their tongue-tying language as you take in the greenery and the lovely simplicity of your surroundings. And Scotland claims castles, cashmere and golf courses galore!

ENGLAND

WOODSTOCK AND GARLIC LOVERSIsle of Wight
Garlic is not usually associated with England. However, the small Isle of Wight, a sentinel of Great Britain off its southeastern coast, produces a surprising amount of the fragrant bulbs.

TRADITIONAL BRITISH LUXURYDraycott HotelOccupying a restored, red brick Edwardian building in London, the elegant Draycott Hotel is situated just around the corner from Chelsea's Sloane Square. In this intimate boutique lodging from the Mantis Collection, traditional British style meets modern amenities and personal service.

TOP 10 MUST-SEE DESTINATIONSStonehengeTheories about this nearly 5,000-year-old circular stone structure vary. Some believe it was a place of healing, others that it was a burial ground and used for ancestor worship. Whether you're a travel enthusiast or history buff, this is one site you should add to your bucket list.

From iconic cathedrals and age-old castles to rambling parklands that reveal Manchester's hipster-populated streets, there's a great deal to do in North Country. Explore the countryside, where ancient history, spa-centric small towns and quaint, sheep-dotted vales commingle in breathtaking ways.

TOP 10 EXTREME HOTELSDovecoteRescued and lovingly treated to a five-year restoration, the Dovecote is a truly unique lodging. Along with a lounge area, sauna and bathroom facilities, this romantic retreat features a glass-front balcony bedroom showcasing original details such as 1,000 brick nesting boxes.

TOP 10 CASTLE HOTELSAmberley CastleMake your way to West Sussex for an idyllic getaway in the picturesque village of Amberley, and its major draw, Amberley Castle. Climb the rope bridge to the thatched-roof tree house, enjoy a round of golf or simply relax on your four-poster bed before taking a soak in your personal Jacuzzi.

TOP 10 HOT EUROPEAN HOTELSLangham HotelIf you have a penchant for four-poster beds, deep bathtubs and luxurious furnishings, then the Langham is the place to stay in the heart of London's West End. Debuting back in 1865, it's still as sought after as it was over 140 years ago.

72-HOUR VACATIONThe Cotswolds
Although visitors will find rolling green hills, villages of limestone cottages, gently flowing streams and some of the most beautiful gardens and houses in the country, this region is more than just a picture-perfect landscape; the area has become increasingly fashionable and sophisticated as well.

TEA FOR TWO The Wedgwood Visitor Centre Do something quintessentially British and visit the Wedgwood Visitor Centre in Stoke-on-Trent, where you can throw your own pots in the Wedgwood factory and drink tea out of Great Britain’s best known china.

GET
THEE TO THE BILLESLEY!The
Billesley Manor in StratfordA relic of the Old World just outside
Shakespeare’s hometown, this classic Elizabethan
mansion is a perfect base from which to explore the
area of Stratford-upon-Avon. Most rooms have lavish,
modern amenities,
but the hotel also maintains three suites that stay
true to the manor’s tradition.

SCOTLAND

BUSINESS TRAVEL GUIDE GlasgowAs Scotland's style capital, the world-class city of Glasgow was once primarily known as one of the world's great shipbuilding centers but has since transformed itself into a vibrant mix of historic buildings, exciting contemporary architecture and cutting-edge chic.More Business Travel Guides

TOP 10 CASTLE HOTELSGlenapp CastleLive out your ultimate fairytale fantasy in this Scottish castle on the Ayrshire coast. This Victorian mansion, built in 1870 and restored in 1994, is situated amidst 36 acres of gardens and woodland with spectacular views over the Irish Sea to the Island of Arran and its signature granite rock of Ailsa Craig.

DOSE OF EUROPEAN CULTURE Edinburgh Fringe FestivalThis alternative to the Edinburgh International Festival covers all its bases by showcasing a wide variety of entertainment, from hilarious comedy to a moving baroque symphony.

SCOTTISH RETREATS Top Spas in Scotland Relax with the Japanese silk eye zone therapy at Aqueous, Scotland’s first hydro spa, or unwind with a Sadashi facial and marine body wrap at the Skibo Castle spa, located in the picturesque Highlands.

TOP 10 VALUE HOTELS WORLDWIDE Inverlochy Castle Amongst the glens, lochs and mountains of the West Highlands sits this elegant and ornate seventeen-room hotel. Here, you can engage in a game of tennis and fishing on the loch, or try your hand at clay pigeon shooting. The hotel also offers a walled garden, a Falconry display and a snooker table.

WALES

DISCOVER
THE CELTIC COASTVisiting
Wales?
The Welsh culture is born again, and there's an almost
tangible buzz in the air. The Welsh of Celtic origins
are probably one of the oldest populations of Europe,
related to the Scots, the Irish and the Bretons of France.
Over the centuries, they have developed and fiercely preserved
their own personality.

NORTHERN IRELAND

72-HOUR VACATION Belfast
Belfast has thrown off its troubled past and emerged as one of Northern Ireland's most vibrant cities. Many buildings have been restored to their former glory, and the city's revitalization has produced a string of up-market hotels, restaurants and clubs.More 72-Hour Vacations